Feeding mechanism for mine cars



G. IVI. JOHNSON.

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MINE CARS.

APPLICATION FILED .IAN-28,192I- Patented Feb. 28, 1922.'

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. M. JOHNSON. FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MINE CARS.

Illlllll) INVENTOFl L w//Qfwwn/ Q7/ww WITNESS G. M.. JOHNSON.

I FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MINE CARS.-

APPLlcATloN FILED mma. 1921.-

1,408,088. Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/ Mulan-vor;d

UNITED STATES GEORGE M. JOHNSON, 0F JEANNETTE, VPENNSYLVANL.

FEEDING MECHANSM FOR :MINE CARS.

Application filed January 28, 1921.

To all Iwhom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. JOHNSON, a citizen of they United States,residing at Jeannette, in the county of TWestmoreland and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFeeding Mechanism for Mine Cars, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a feeding-mechanism designed primarily for thefeeding of cars to mine-shaft cages, although it is to be understoodthat the invention Ycan be employed for-any purposes wherein it is foundapplicable, and has for its object to provide a feeding-mechanismadapted to be arranged at a landing of a mine-shaft, and provided withcar stop arresting elements to stop the travel of a cai` towards theshaft, until the car is released by the actuation of the mechanism bythe cage, when the latter reaches the landing, under such conditions theperu mitting of the car to be automatically fed upon the cage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feeding mechanism forthe purpose set forth having means (as more specifically described andshown in my Co-pending application Serial Number 440,687 i'iled Jan. 28,1921,) actuated on the travel of the cai' towards the cage', when thecar is released, to cause the restoring of the car stop elements tonormal position to arrest movement of an oncoming car.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feeding-mechanism forthe purpose set forth, having means for holding the car stop elementsclear `o-f the car when the mechanism is actuated to release the car fortravel towards the cage when the latterV is at the landing, and furtherwith means actuated by the car, when the latter is released, to operatesaid holding` means whereby the car stop elements are restoredto normalposition for car arresting purposes.

A further object of the inventionV is to provide a feeding-mechanism forAthe purpose set forth adapted to be arranged at a landing, and which isautomatically .operated to released position by a cage when it reachesthe landing whereby a car arrested by the mechanism will be permitted torun onto the cage.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a feeding mechanism forthe purpose set forth which is simple in its con- Specication of LettersPatent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

Serial No. 440,686.

can be resorted to which come within the l scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like` reference characters denotek correspondingparts throughout the several views Figure l, is a top plan view of amine car feeding` mechanism in accordance 'with this invention, showingthe adaptation thereofin connection with a mine-cage, the latter beingprovided with a car stop mechanism.

Figure 2, is a like view, upon an enlarged f:

scale, Of the mine car feeding mechanism, broken away. y

Figure 3, is an elevation partly in section showing the releasingdevice, forming one,

of the elements of the feeding mechanism.

Figure l, is a section on line IV-IV Figure 2. i

Figure 5, is a side elevation of the mechanism and further showing thewheel of the car about to actuate the releasing device.

Referring to the drawings in detail 6 denotes a mine-cage provided withacar stop or holding mechanism 7, of any suitable construction, 8 an.actuating member for the mechanism 7,. and 9 a releasing element or`rather operating element for the member S. The mechanism 7, member 8 andelement 9r` may be of any suitable construction .and forms no part ofthis invention as they r aie illustrated merely by way of example. The ioperating element 8 is arranged upon a landing of the mine shaft. Themine cage 6 is` provided with a pair of track rails 10, which'. alinewith the track rails 11, 12, mounted onfy the ties 13 and support la.The ties 13 and support 1+iv are arraiigedupon the landing whichsupports the element S. Mounted on the ties 13 and support 14, is anelongated supporting member 15, provided with bear@ ings 16 for a rockshaft 16, the latter having projecting from one end a crank 17, whichlies in the path of the cage 6, so that the latter as it reaches thelanding will engage the crank 17 and rock the shaft 16 or in other wordsswing the shaft 16, within its bearings 16. The supporting member 15 ispositioned parallel to and between the track rails 11, 12.

The shaft 16 has each end project beyond the bearings 16, and on itsinner end is provided with a toothed quadrant 18, which engages with thestuds 19, carried by the inner portion of a spring controlled shiftingbar 20, which is formed of an outer and an inner section adjustablyconnected together. The studs 19, are carried by the inner section ofthe bar. rlhe outer section of the bar 2O is bifurcated, as at 21 and issupn ported by a roller 22. The inner section of the bar y2O issupported by a roller 23. The bar 2O is adapted to be shiftedtransversely with respect to the track formed by the track rails 11, 12,and during the shifting movement thereof the section of the bar 20 whichis bifurcated slides under the track rail 11. The inner section of thebar 2O has a depending arm 24, to which is attached one end yof a`coiled spring 25, the other end of the spring 25, is connected to anarm 26, depending from the support 14, and the shifting of the bar 20,bythe quadrant 18, is had against the action of the spring 25, so thatwhen the crank 17 is released by the cage 6, the spring 25 will restorethe bar 2O to normal position.

.Pivotally mounted in the fui-cation 21, of the Outer section of the bar20, is a 'flat retaining member 27, provided with a nose 28, and anelongated slot 29. The member 27 is pivoted at one end and the pivottherefor is indicated at 30. The retaining member 27 projects from thebar 20 and in a `direction from the cage 6. The slot 29 extends in adirection lengthwise of the member 27. A guide roller 21 is arranged atthe outer end of the bar 20.

Arranged to the outer side of each of the track rails 11, 12, vis asupporting element 31, for a spring controlled and cushioned stop block.The blocks are indicated at 32,

33, and are normally arranged to extend over the `track rails and in thepath of the wheels 34, of .the car, so that the blocks will be inposition to arrest movement of the car, or in other words stop thetravel of the car towards the mine cage 6. The support 14 for the trackrails is disposed at a slight grade, so that when the blocks are movedclear of the wheels of the car, the latter will move by gravity towardsand upon the cage 6. Each ofthe stop .blocks is pivoted at 35, on ashaft or rod 36, and the arrangement is such that `the blocks can shifton the rods when desired. Each ot the blocks has a depending arm, andthe arm for the block 32, is indicated at 37 and the arm for the otherblock at 38.

Pivotally mounted on the support 14, is a to be engaged by the nose 28,ot the retaining member 27, to prevent shifting of the lever arm 39, tomaintain the blocks 32, 33, clear of thetrackrails 11, 12, to allowtravel of a car towards the cage. The shifting of the lever arm 39, rods41, 44, by the shifting bar 20, is had against the action of the spring46, the latter being attached at one end with the lever arm39, by a.link 47 and having its other end connected toan arm.48, whichprojectsfrom the support 14. The blocks 32, 33, are maintained ininoperative position by the engagement of the nose 28, with the shoulder45, until the retaining member 27 is moved clear of the bar 44, by a`releasing device to be presently referred to. The

nose 28, in connection with the shoulder 45,

provides means for causing the operation of the actuating rods 41, 44,when the bar' 20 is shifted, and in this connection it will be statedthat when the bar 20, is shifted by the quadrant 18, the nose 28 isbrought into engagement with the shoulder 45, causing thereby theshifting ofV the rod 44, and the latter rocking orvswinging the leverarm 39, will actuate the bar 41. When the bars 41, 44 are actuated`through the medium of the bar 20, the blocks 32, 33 will be swung clearof the track rails to allow passage of the car towards the cage.V

The releasing mechanism for the retaining member 27, comprises a `springcontrolled rod 46, which has'one end connected by a pin 47, to themember 2 7. The pin 47 eX- tends through the slot 29. The controllingspring for the rod 46, is indicated by the reference character 48, andis coiled around the rod. The end of the rod 46 which is attached to themember 27 is enlarged as at 49, and theA spring 48 is interposed`between the enlarged end 49 and an abutment 50, the latter constitutesa guideand support for the rod 46. f

The releasing device or mechanism further.v includesy a trip l lever 5l,which has a `lateral projection 51 positioned inthe path otonor of thewheels 34, of thee-ar, sothatas the latter travels' towards the cage 6,4the projection 51 will be engaged and the lever 5l shifted, the latteractuating the releasing device causing thereby the shifting of themember 27 on its pivot, in `a `direction whereby the nose 28 will bemoved clear of the shoulder 45, so that the action of the spring 46.will more the rods 41, 44, in a direction opposite to that when shiftedby the bar 20, under such conditions the blocks 32,33 willbe positionedover the track rails 11, 12 and in the path ofthe wheels of an oncomingcar to arrest movement of the latter, or in other words stop the travelof the cartowards the shaft and cage.

The track rail 11 is formed of two sections or has a portion thereofcutaway, and arranged in said cutawayportion is a tread member 52 havinga depression 52 at one end. The lever 51 depends below the member 52 andis pivotally mounted at its lower end, as at 53, to a pair of hangerarms 54, 54', the former depending from a fish plate 55. The latter hasa vertical flange 56,

`formed with an offset portion 57, and that portion of the plate 55bounded by the offset portion 57 is 'cutaway to provide an opening 57for the operation of the lever 51.-

The fish plate 55 is arranged on the outer side of the sections of thetrack rail 11v and is secured to said sections of the track rail .On theinner side of the member 52 is arranged a fish plate 58 which abutsagainst the heads of the sections of the track rail 11, and is securedthereto. vThe hanger arms54 is ,carried by the fish plate 58.

The lateral projection 51 on the upper end ofthe trip lever 51 is soshaped that when the lever 51 yis shifted by the wheel 34 of the car tothe forward end of the member 52, it .will snugly fit the depression 52and form a continuation of the rail tread. lVhen the lever 51 is shiftedit abuts against the forward section of the track rail 11, and theenlarged upper end of the lever is flush with the tread of said section,or in other words forms a continuation of the tread of the section. iThe offset portion of the flange 56, provides a clearance for themovement of the enlarged upper end of the lever 51.

The spring controlled rod 46, is pivotally connected to the lever 51, soth-atwhen the lever 51, is shifted by the car wheel 34, the rod 46, willbe carried with the lever 51, swinging the retaining member 2T on itspivot and in a direction to move the nose 28 kclear of the shoulder 45.After the ear wheel2 clears the upper end of the lever 51,

y the spring 48 will restore the lever 51 to Y normal position, which isin the path of the wheels' of the car.

Although the stop blocks are returned to extend into said cutawayportionand with the nose 28 against the shoulder 45. The

parts of the feeding mechanism will then be in position to release theblocks, whenvthe crank 17 is operated by the cage, so that passage ofthe car to the cage can be had.

lllhat l claim is 1. A feeding mechanism for mine cars comprising a pairof oar stop-blocks, means connected with said blocks for normallyretaining` them in operative position to arrest movement of a mine cartowards a cage, a shifting mechanism adapted to be operated by the cageas it approaches a shaft ,landing and detachably engaging with saidmeans to shift it whereby the blocks are moved to and retained ininoperative position to permit of the travel of the car towardsy thecage, and a releasing device operated by the car as it travels towardsthe cage to release said means to permit the blocks being shifted tooperative position.

2. A feeding mechanism for mine cars comprising a pair of car.stop-blocks, spring cont-rolled means connected with said blocks fornormally retaining them in operative` blocks being shifted to operativeposition,

said releasing device being spring controlled.

A feeding mechanism for mine cars comprising a pair of car stop blocks,actuating rods thereof operatively connected together and Vto saidblocks, a shifting mechanism Ydetachably engaging with one of said rodsfor shifting the rods to shift the blocks, and a releasing device formoving said shifting mechanism clear of therod.

4. A feeding' mechanism for lmine cars normally in the path ofa car toarrest move,-k

ment thereof, operating means for saidy bloclrs,lsaid means including arod having. a shoulder, a shifting mechanism havinga yretaining membernormally in engagement with said shoulder and adapted 'when operated toshift the rod to throw said operating means into operation to shift. theblocks to allow travel of the car, and a releasing device for saidretaining member adapted when operated to shift said member clear of theshoulder whereby said blocks can be restored to normal position.

5, A feeding mechanism for mine cars comprising a pair of shiftable carstop blocks normally in the path of a car to arrest movement thereof,operating means for said blocks, a cage operated shifting mechanismhaving a retaining member detachably engaging with said operating meansand adapted when operated to actuate the said means to shift the blocksfrom normal position to allow travel of the car, and a releasing devicefor said retaining member adapted toL ber detachably engaging with saidmeans and adapted' when operated to actuate said means to shift theblocks from normal position to allow travel of the car, and a springcontrolled releasing device for said-retaining member adapted to beoperated bythe car during the travel thereof whereby the blocks will beautomatically restored to normal position.

7. A feeding mechanism for mine cars comprising a spring controlled car'stopY block operating means for shifting car stopk blocks to and fromrnormal position, a spring controlled-shifting bar detachably engagingwith said means for actuating it to shift the blocks from normal whenthe bar is operated, said bar havinor studs or pins, a cage operatedshaft having a quadrant engaging with said studs to operate the bar whenthesh'aft is operated by the cage, and a releasing device fordisconnecting the bar from said means whereby the blocks will berestored to normal position.

S. A feeding mechanism for mine cars comprising a pair of car stopblocks normally in the path of a car to arrest movement thereof,operating means for the blocks to shifting the blocks to and from normalposition, a cage operated shifting mechanism having a latch memberdetachably engaging with said means for actuating it when the shiftingmechanism is operated by the cage, and a releasing device connected withthe latch member and adapted to be operated by a car during the travelthereof for shifting` the latch member clear of saidpmeans wherelntestimony whereof l my si by the blocks can be restored sition by saidmeans.

9. In a feeding mechanism for mine cars a car block 'shifting means, acage operated shifting mechanism for said means and com prising a springcontrolled bar having a pivoted latch member detachably engaging withsaid means to operate it in one direction, and means for moving thelatch member clear of said car block shifting means.

10. In a feeding mechanism for mine cars operating meansV for a pair ofcar blocks provided with al shoulder, and` a cage'operated shiftingmechanism having a nose de- Vto normal po-v tachably engaging with saidshoulder and i adapted when operated to actuate said op-` erating meansto operate the car blocks.

ll. A feeding mechanism for mme cars comprising a pair of car stopVblocks nor- Y mally in the path of a car to arrest travel thereof,operating means for shifting Said blocks to and from the path of travelof the car, a cage operated shifting mechanism de tachably engaging withsaid means and adapted when operated to actuate said-means i to shiftthe block from the path of travel of the car, and a-car operatedreleasing device connected to said shifting'mechanism andadaptedwhen'operated by the car during the travel thereof to disconnect theshifting mechanism from said meanswhereby the blocks can be restored toa position in the path of travel of a car to arrest movement thereof.

12. A feeding mechanism for mine cars comprising a pair of car stopblocks adapted to be shifted into and out of the path of travel of acar, operating means for said blocks, said means including a pair ofactuating rods, one of said rods having a shoulder, a cage operatedshifting mechanism having a latch member detachably engaging` with saidshoulder and adapted when to actnate said means to shift the blocks outof the path of travel of the car, and a car operated releasing devicehaving a pin and slot connection with said member and adapted whenoperated to move the member clearv of the shoulder whereby said meanscan be actuated to shift the blocks intothe path of travel of the car.

ature.

GEORGE M. JOHNSON.

